How to Transition Your Social Security Account to Login.gov
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: August 23, 2024
If you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you will need to transition to a new or existing Login.gov account or use an ID.me account to have continuous access to our online services. We recently announced this news in a press release.
For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch this video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov.
Beginning June 1, 2024, people who sign in to their personal my Social Security account with their username are given the option to transition to Login.gov. This blog provides additional information and guidance to help you with problems you may encounter. We’re also going to provide answers to some of the questions we’ve heard.
Who does this affect?
If you created your free and secure my Social Security account on or after September 18, 2021, no action is necessary because you already have the right setup. If you are among the 46 million people who created an account before September 18, 2021 and use your username and password to access Social Security online services today, you will need to create or use an existing account with one of our two Credential Service Providers (CSP) – Login.gov or ID.me.
Is there a deadline?
While you can still use a username and password to sign in to your personal my Social Security account right now, this option is going away later this year. At that time, you will be required to have a Login.gov or ID.me account if you want to continue to access your personal my Social Security and our many other convenient online services.
A personal my Social Security account provides tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, and manage the benefits you already receive. To learn more, visit What is an Account?
Why are you making this change?
This change will simplify your sign-in experience and better align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to our online services.
What do I need to do?
To avoid any disruptions in accessing our online services we encourage you to transition your account now by signing in to your account with your username and password. Our online instructions will guide you through the process of creating or signing in to an existing Login.gov account.
Information about Login.gov and ID.me
Login.gov is your one government account for simple, secure, and private access to participating government agencies. You can use your Login.gov account to access your Social Security benefit information, services, and other information. And you can use that same Login.gov account to manage other government benefits and services. For support, visit the Login.gov Help Center.
ID.me is a single sign-on provider that also meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements. You can use one ID.me account to access government and private services. For support – Go to the ID.me Help Center.
For more information, visit our Create an Account page.
Please share this information with friends and family, clients and colleagues, and others who may need it.
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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Kim E.
I cannot find My Social Security user ID and password. How can I retrieve it?
Amy B.
I have been trying for two days now and still can’t get on , so frustrating:(
Glenn H.
11/13/2024: I hope this comment is helpful and taken as constructive criticism. I’ve had an account on ssa.gov since 2017 and have just gone through the new account setup.
For me, SSA messaging this past summer about the authentication change made it seem we were being REQUIRED to set up PASSPHRASES. That concerned me because I’m only vaguely aware of what passphrases are, and feel I need to learn more – replace usernames and passwords?; tied to device and browser combinations (I use multiple devices and browsers)?; need an authenticator app, if so, which one?; same experience on mobile?; will it change how I use my password manager?
So, I procrastinated for those reasons, among others. But now that I’ve set up a new account, it’s clear that SSA wants users to setup (a) at least 2FA, and (b) maybe a third factor of authentication. If that simple, high-level explanation of the process was made clear initially, it probably would have convinced me to make the change much sooner.
So, I’ve set up 2FA (letter is on the way to me via U.S. Mail), and will investigate what form of 3FA is best for me in the future.
Regards.
Michael A.
need to get new back up codes
how do I do that?
Johnny M.
I need proof of my ssid status by 11/14/2024. I cannot get into my account online, I need to be able to print it out for assisstance
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, Johnny. We are sorry you are having difficulty accessing your account. You can call our “Help Desk” at 1-800-772-1213. After you hear “How can I help you today?” please say “Help Desk” for help to access my Social Security account. The help desk is available to callers between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Marjorie G.
I switched my login to use Login.gov some months ago when I first got that information. Ever since getting into ssa.gov once I have not been able to get into the website since. I keep getting taken back to the screen with the 3 login choices even after I’ve been authenticated. This is frustrating. I spent 3 hours on the phone last week trying to reach a rep and finally hung up.